🚗 Bringing European Wheels to American Roads: Is It Worth It? 🌍

Whilst sipping on a fine Tequila on Sunday night, I was posed with a rather intriguing question: With so many auction platforms based out of the U.S., is it financially savvy to ship cars from Europe or the UK?

It got me thinking – if one person is curious, surely many more are. Let’s dive into the details.

1. Age Matters: The 25-Year Rule 📆 Before you even consider importing, the first checkpoint is your vehicle's age. If your car is more than 25 years old, it sails through U.S. import regulations, bypassing stringent safety and emissions requirements. Essentially, your vintage beauty gets a VIP pass!

2. The Costs Unveiled 💸

• Shipping: Regardless of where it's coming from, you're looking at a ballpark of $1,500 - $2,500. Surprisingly, this is on par with many coast-to-coast shipments within the U.S.

• Duties: Brace for duties, which can vary. For cars, it's typically 2.5%, but trucks might see a hefty 25%.

• Additional Fees: From cleaning the undercarriage to customs broker fees and logistics charges, there are other costs to factor in. However, when weighed against potential savings, these might seem minuscule.

3. The Currency Game: Exchange Rates 💹 Current exchange rates could be your best friend or a sneaky adversary. A favorable rate could mean massive savings, making your import venture incredibly worthwhile.

4. Model Pricing Disparities 🚘 Certain European car models, especially some classics or unique trims, might be significantly cheaper abroad. When you factor in potential auction savings and the allure of European specs, the financial scales could tip in favor of importing.

5. Completing the Puzzle: Registration & Compliance 📜 Once your European chariot lands on U.S. soil, ensure you're equipped with necessary documentation. For cars younger than 25 years, liaise with a DOT-registered importer for any required modifications. Finally, for that victory lap, register your car with the local DMV.

To Import or Not to Import? 🤔 With shipping costs comparable to domestic transport and the potential for massive savings on specific models, especially with a favorable exchange rate, importing might be a wise move. However, always run the numbers, research your chosen model's price disparities, and factor in duties and fees.

For those with a penchant for European models or seeking that unique ride not available stateside, importing might not just be a financial decision but a heart-led one. After all, what's better than cruising American boulevards in a car that narrates tales from European shores?

We chatted above about the thrill of importing cars across the big ol' Atlantic? We touched upon the nitty-gritty of costs and the "adventure" of logistics. 🚢✈️ Well, guess what? I've now rolled up my sleeves and dived deep into the numbers from August. (you didn’t expect anything less from me!)

Let's find out if your dream European car is just a bargain away!

📊 Diving into August's numbers, let's see how the European market fared against the USA based on different price tiers: 📊

I’ve compared all the US platforms against all the European/UK ones for the month of August where there were just over 4500 vehicles sales!

1. $0 - $19,999:

   • Number of Matched Vehicles: 19

   • Average Price Differential: -$10,451.47

   • Interpretation: For vehicles in this range, those sold on UK-based platforms are on average cheaper by $10,451.47 compared to other platforms.

2. $20,000 - $49,999:

   • Number of Matched Vehicles: 34

   • Average Price Differential: -$4,006.34

   • Interpretation: For vehicles in this range, those sold on UK-based platforms are on average cheaper by $4,006.34 compared to other platforms.

3. $50,000 - $99,999:

   • Number of Matched Vehicles: 10

   • Average Price Differential: -$21,075.88

   • Interpretation: For vehicles in this range, those sold on UK-based platforms are on average cheaper by $21,075.88 compared to other platforms.

4. $100,000+:

   • Number of Matched Vehicles: 5

   • Average Price Differential: -$26,198.40

   • Interpretation: For vehicles in this range, those sold on UK-based platforms are on average cheaper by $26,198.40 compared to other platforms.

🔍 Conclusion: Spotting the Deal in a Sea of Cars 🚗💰 

Alright, here's the deal. After playing detective with the data, some models are screaming "deal alert!" But hey, always remember: cars are like snowflakes, no two are exactly alike. Mileage, that tiny scratch from the 90s, the old soda stain – they all play their part in the car's story and price.

 📖 The trend does hint at some potential wallet-saving opportunities on specific models. But, and it's a big BUT, do your homework! Dive deep, ask questions, and always trust your gut. Because, in the end, the devil (or the deal) is in the details. 😉

Since this isn’t your usual type of newsletter I thought I’d add in a personal gripe which I’m sure many of you are feeling.

Below are the national gas prices, month by month.

Being based in Los Angeles if I saw any of these gas prices I’d bite your hand off to get em as LA gas prices are a LOT more. 😭

Who’s excited for this movie??